CELEBRATION time!

I have so many things to be happy about right now, but the biggest is BIG BIG BIG news....the deployment is OFF!  Hubby is NOT preparing to leave for nearly a year!  He'll still return to his regular work schedule in a week or so, which often takes him away from us for 3 or 4 days at a time, but he gets to come HOME a lot, too. I'm still so nervous about my own return to work as I adjust to the new baby, give Bobblehead enough attention,  etc. but now I am more excited than nervous.

I get to CELEBRATE having this beautiful baby (who still needs a blog name - any suggestions?)

I get to CELEBRATE Bonehead leaving for Navy boot camp in 3 weeks

I get to CELEBRATE my Doula business, which is still growing despite my current hiatus from attending births (more demand for Birth Photography and Placenta Encapsulation, both of which I CAN do without having to be away from baby for so long)

I get to CELEBRATE my birthday AND Mother's Day with my hubby by my side! Not on the other side of the world! YAY!

I get to CELEBRATE the baby's upcoming baptism, and enjoy time with family & friends

I get to CELEBRATE my blogiversary, which I think passed a few weeks ago.....I've been blogging here for three years already! Maybe this should be celebrated with a giveaway?

But mostly, just ready to celebrate the deployment being cancelled. SO freaking exciting for this tired, overwhelmed mommy!

long overdue UPDATE

I might just be the world's most pathetic blogger these days.....I can NOT believe I haven't posted a single update since announcing this pregnancy!  Well, that's all about to change, because at 33 weeks pregnant, I have been placed on BEDREST. Three days into this nonsense, I have a whole new respect for mommies everywhere who have endured this particular torture.

Anyway, to make this a proper update, I'll obviously have to include some pictures. First, the Senior Pictures of Bonehead (as promised like 8 months ago...SORRY!)

He's so handsome when he dresses up!  He turned 18 two months ago and moved out, but is currently crashing with my parents because he hasn't been able to find a JOB....well, aside from the one he's set to start in April: he enlisted in the NAVY, so now I am a NAVY MOM, in addition to being a MARINE WIFE. I do dread his impending departure to boot camp, but am holding my tears for his first deployment. Or trying to anyway. *sob*

As for Knucklehead, he is turning 13 tomorrow, and aside from a little bit of teenage attitude, he is still an absolutely AMAZING kid. Still pulling straight A's in school, including in band where he plays the coronet; still awesome in sports - especially basketball; and recently promoted in his Young Marines unit. (terrible picture of me, but at least you get a peek at my baby bump!)

Bobblehead still makes me smile constantly - he's 2 1/2 now and he can't wait to be a big brother! He moved into his new 'big boy room' a couple weeks ago, and of course LOVES it. I was hoping to have the nursery all re-done in time for this baby, but bedrest may make this impossible. Whenever I get it done, I'll definitely have to post some before & after pictures. But Bobblehead doesn't even seem to mind being displaced from his cherished 'monkey room' - hope the whole jealousy thing doesn't become a huge issue. I've never had kids so close together before, so I'm not sure how any of us will handle it!

As for baby # 5.....first of all, we had to find out the gender as soon as possible (I was so very impatient to know!)

Now that this has been established, we need to come up with a 'blog' name for the baby.....any ideas out there? Trying to stick with the 'head' theme (Since big sister is 'Airhead' here, and brothers are 'Bonehead', 'Knucklehead', & 'Bobblehead')

Coming up with an actual real-life name for him was tough, but we finally settled on a combination that will honor two fallen Marines who my husband went to IOC with - 2nd Lt. James Cathey, and 1st Lt. Sean Blue.  I'm super excited to meet this little one in a few weeks, especially since his 4D ultrasound shows he'll be another 'mini-me' for my hubs....he looks JUST like Knucklehead and Bobblehead!

We're still worried there may be health issues for this baby, even if he manages to stay inside for a few more weeks. We had a 'positive' AFP test early on that pointed to a 1 in 79 chance that he has Down Syndrome.  We didn't do amnio to confirm or deny this, so we're doing LOTS of extra monitoring while waiting for his arrival (and the doula in me is pretty darn sure that the stress of this extra monitoring is what led to the preterm labor scare that now has me on BEDREST. sadface.) As far as the risk of DS goes, this is more due to my 'advanced maternal age' than anything else, and of course there is still a 78 in 79 chance that he does NOT have DS...so we're hoping/praying for a healthy baby. If he has DS, his most likely complication at birth will be heart issues, which would require him to be life-flighted to a hospital about an hour away (by car). If any of the ultrasounds between now and birth show ANY hint of a heart problem, we'll probably just plan to deliver at that hospital, just to be safe. We have two local hospitals, one of which has a new NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) but even that won't be enough if he needs cardiac care right away.  Either way, I am still SO THANKFUL for my husband's civilian job, with GREAT health insurance that allows us the flexibility to give birth pretty much anywhere we choose.

I'll try to do a better job of keeping this blog updated in the meantime, since I am BORED TO TEARS with bedrest already. Looking forward to your suggestions for a blog name for the new baby!

the BIG announcement I've been promising.....

I am so thrilled to (FINALLY) be able to announce that we are PREGNANT!

My fifth baby is due in March, and I could not be more thrilled.  Jarhead is not as excited as I am, but he's happy too.  We weren't even trying to conceive, although I was trying to convince him that we should start trying when Bobblehead turns two next month. I guess we're a couple months ahead of that schedule, huh?

I am sad that I can't take on any new Doula clients for awhile, but this is SO MUCH BETTER than helping other women bring their babies into the world.  I've hired the same doula who helped me deliver Bobblehead, and now kinda can't wait for March to be here already. I do have a few mommies already lined up as doula clients, so I will still be attending their births - but then can't take any more clients because I'll be too pregnant to fully support other mommies.

reunited and it feels so good.....

I can't possibly express my gratitude to my many blog friends who have been so patient (& forgiving!) with my recent absence.  To those who took time to contact me and check to make sure all is well, I owe an even bigger THANK YOU!

My last post promised a look at our new family portraits, so here you go:

So, the biggest new development in my life is one that I don't technically have hubby's permission to blog about yet, but I will definitely be letting that cat out of the bag SOON.  The second biggest new development is that my daughter is BACK!

Many of you already know the story of my daughter, AKA 'Airhead', leaving 4 1/2 years ago, and you also know some of the hurt this caused me.  I've missed her SO SO SO much, and can't tell you all how fantastic it feels now to have her back in our lives!  Seeing her, speaking with her, HUGGING her.....best feeling EVER.  We had dinner as a family in early June and it was so incredible to see her playing with little Bobblehead as if she's known him his whole life.  Since then I've gone wine tasting with her a couple times (yes, I love having an adult daughter!!!) and we're going to get pedicures together later this week. LOVE!

I was overjoyed to be reunited with my long-lost daughter, but just imagine my sheer happiness to learn that she works at one of our local wineries, and can get me in FREE for tasting at almost any winery in town!  Does it get better than this???? Yes, actually it does, but like I said I can't talk about that yet....still a SECRET for a little while yet.

My boys are all ecstatic to have Airhead back, too.  Bonehead passed his proficiency test to finish high school, so I finally paid off his senior pictures (will post those soon!) He's hoping to enlist in the Navy, but we won't know for a couple more weeks if that's even possible.  Knucklehead is enjoying his summer, getting ready for school to start in a few weeks. This is his second year in Middle School, and he is now my ONLY child in school.  Well, not counting Bobblehead, of course.....but he's in preschool. PRE-preschool, in fact, in the toddler program.  But in a few short weeks he'll be two years old and will move into the class I've been teaching since March, which means I have to move OUT of that class.  Not sure yet if I will be in the Infant program or the Pre-K, but either way it will be a huge adjustment for me.

My doula business is going very well, though that new secret project I'm not allowed to talk about yet is going to put the doula thing on hold for awhile.  I have three more births already scheduled, and am not taking on any more clients for the time being.  I'm also getting better with photography, which brings me to my next point - have you entered the Shutterfly Facebook Photo Contest yet?  Check it out:

Long Live Summer – Facebook Photo Contest details (US residents only) 7/9 – 8/12 Multi-week summer themed photo sweepstakes with instant win prizes. http://bit.ly/sweepS

Win a trip for four to The Bahamas and a professional photo shoot so you’ll remember your vacation forever.  All you need to do is upload your favorite photo and caption based on the theme of the week.  Get a gift from Shutterfly just for entering! You can enter at any point during the 5-week sweepstakes period.

PHOTO THEMES

•       Week 1(7/9): Americana - ended

•       Week 2 (7/16): Great Outdoors - ended

•       Week 3 (7/23): Water Fun – current week

•       Week 4 (7/30): Sports & Activities

•       Week 5 (8/6): Parties & Celebrations

PRIZES

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•       Weekly prizes (contestants can enter one time/week)

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•       Grand prize: trip for 4 to Bahamas, 4 nights, family photo shoot

•       Shutterfly Sweepstakes - Official Rules

Wife Swap (?)

I realize that I owe you all an update (yes, I actually AM aware of the passing of time in this crazy life of mine) but instead I am writing this in response to Kristle's recent SpouseBuzz article about Wife Swap (read her post HERE).

Having never actually watched an entire episode of Wife Swap, it is tough for me to say whether or not I would be willing to do this show (I am guessing NOT....and it is a moot point because Jarhead would NEVER agree to this!!!) however, even if I was willing to swap, and even if hubby agreed to it, I know for a fact that the show's producers could NEVER find anyone willing to take on my insane life for any period of time.

The manual I would have to leave for anyone so crazy would probably go something like this:


"Welcome to our insane asylum. If you did not bring your own meds, well sorry - you'll wish you had. If you feel the need to 'borrow' some, borrow mine, they're the BEST.  But they always run out, so good luck with that.  In an emergency, you can borrow my 'backup meds':

As you will notice when you enter our home, dust is a NOUN here, not a verb.  (it is something that is HERE, not something I DO)  If this bothers you, feel free to waste your time constantly shifting the never-ending supply of dust from one surface to another.  I prefer to spend my time tending to the needs of all the men in my life:




This is Jarhead.

He is always right. Don't question it, just know that he IS always right. He has a charming mix of Bi-polar symptoms and O.C.D., with A.D.D. tendencies and some violent anger outbursts thrown in for fun. I am pretty sure this is actually undiagnosed PTSD, unless maybe he is taking asshole pills behind my back.  DON'T POKE THIS BEAR.  He doesn't regularly take any meds, much to my dismay.  Your best bet is to provide timely meals that are at least a little appealing, with plenty of salt and cold Coke Zero.  Desserts help, too.  Serve with a remote control on the side, and stay out of his line of sight.  Do NOT, under any circumstances, make fun of his incessant channel surfing.  He is only home 3 out of every seven days, so just keep the peace while he's home, and you can breathe easier and stop walking on eggshells for four straight days.




This is Bonehead. 

He will be 18 in 149 days, but who's counting? He is ridiculously funny, but even more ridiculously inappropriate.  If you are easily offended, bring ear plugs or an iPod so you can ignore him.  99.9% of everything that comes out of his mouth is a meaningless joke, anyway.  He can be trusted to babysit the toddler for a few hours at a time, but be prepared to come home to this scene if you take advantage of this:

(yes, that is a baby asleep in a laundry hamper)

Bonehead can also be very violent if provoked, and stands a full 6' 4" so don't poke THIS bear, either.  His primary trigger is anyone mentioning his Asperger's Syndrome, or anything that he perceives to be a reference to this.  One recent meltdown started with me saying, "you would be good at X" because he assumed that my reason for thinking he would be good at it was because of his Asperger's.  Just give him something constructive to do each day, and give very clear & concise instructions. If you leave room for interpretation, YOU WILL GET his interpretation (and it won't match anything you could ever come up with on your own).  Ask him to show you his speed-solving skills with his Rubik's Cube - this is phenomenal to see, and he is always happy to show off.




This is Knucklehead.

He is our 'perfect child'.  Or was, until he hit middle school. Now he occasionally brings out a teenage attitude, but generally uses this to go pout in solitude.  He can be trusted to watch the toddler, but is not great about changing diapers - so limit your errands to 2 hours or less, if you leave Knucklehead in charge.  He will spend his free time playing videogames, shooting hoops at the park down the street, or playing with his little brother.  He is low-maintenance, but don't forget to give him some attention or you'll see that attitude I mentioned above.




This is Bobblehead.

He loves eggs and hates being told what to do.  He knows he is cute, so beware! He will use those dimples against you if he can.  He naps pretty well (finally!) and sleeps through the night, but is very dependent on certain routines and comfort items to make this happen.  See the 'sleep manual' provided in a separate volume. He wiggles during diaper changes, as he seems to think his purpose in life is to streak around the house naked.  He throws a mean tantrum, but can usually be distracted from a fit with a ball; any ball will work, but basketballs are his favorite. He also loves splashing in water... ANY kind of water (keep bathrooms off limits or he will play in the toilet)

His language has been a little slow to develop, but is now picking up, so you can expect him to learn hundreds of new words during your stay here.  Please don't teach him any four-letter-words, as I have worked very hard to curb my own swearing to keep him from repeating anything that might embarrass me, say, at church.  Or at the Christian Preschool where I teach (that's another whole manual there).  Bobblehead gives the BEST cuddles, so if there are no 'meds' or 'backup meds' in the house, his snuggly hugs and kisses should get you through the rough days.  They certainly do for me."

What would you put in your manual, if you went on Wife Swap? Post in the comments below, or better yet make a blog post about this and put the link in a comment below :)

As always, THANKS SO MUCH for reading!


   

checking in

I know I have not been on here in AWHILE (sorry again!) even though I said I would be back more regularly. Life has other plans for me than blogging, apparently.

*sigh*

My preschool job is going well, but it's been a long and difficult adjustment.  The hardest adjustment has been learning how to juggle all of my responsibilities in addition to working full time, but I also struggled with missing Bobblehead (whose class is right down the hall from mine, so at least I get to see him some throughout the day). Hubby started stepping in and helping with household stuff a few weeks ago, which has helped IMMENSELY. Well, except for the fact that I'm a bitchy control-freak and have a tendency to go behind him and re-do stuff that I determine he has done 'wrong'.  I'm getting better about letting go of this, but it is so hard!

I can't remember whether or not I announced on here my 'new career'.....I am now a trained Birth Doula!  I'm going through the process of certification through DONA International, and I expect to be certified by the end of this year. I don't know if I will ever make a LIVING doing this, but for now I want to offer my services for free to military mommies who are giving birth while hubby/boyfriend is deployed.  Bobblehead's birth during deployment effected me so profoundly, and I could NOT have done it without my amazing Doula.  Had she not been there, I am certain I would have had a cesarean!  The most I can reasonably commit to, time-wise, is one birth a month.  If I ever decide to quit my preschool job though, I can schedule as many as three births a month (hard to do, since we all know due-dates are ESTIMATED & babies rarely come ON their due date!) and if I do civilian births, doulas in my area are charging $750 to $1000 per birth.  Hourly, this breaks down to anywhere from $20 to $50 per hour depending on the length of that mommy's labor, but it is still a PART TIME job, so I think I would have to start teaching childbirth classes or breastfeeding classes or something to fill in the financial gap. ANYWAY, that's really jumping the gun!  For now I am just really enjoying helping mommies welcome their little ones into the world.  I don't have any clients scheduled to deliver in June, but I have a July birth lined up already, as well as August & October.  I might have a September birth scheduled, but that mommy has not gotten back to me yet.  (if you know a military mommy on or near Pendleton who is due in September & can't afford a doula, have her contact me in case I can help her for free!  Priority will be given to a mommy whose hubby will be deployed or far away for training at the time of the birth, but that's not a requirement at this point)

My home life & marriage is still a full time job in itself, but it is still going.  At least I haven't been 'fired' and I'm sure as hell not about to QUIT!  Hubby and I are working through some of our issues, and trying to take time to enjoy the kids.  Bonehead will be moving out sometime in the next couple of months, but his actual plans keep changing.  Part of me hopes he follows through with his plans to enlist, but part of me prays he finds a civilian job instead. Knucklehead continues to impress everyone with his stellar academics (straight A's again!) and his extracurricular activities (basketball, band, and Young Marines) and Bobblehead is growing like a weed - still not talking much at 20 months, but learning new 'tricks' every day.

I'd love to commit to updating this blog at least weekly, but all the things I want to write about are the things that KEEP me from having time for blogging!  Our ongoing struggle with undiagnosed PTSD, the longest reintegration in history, my weight battles, my depression/anxiety issues, and the everyday adventure of raising all these boys are all EXTREMELY time consuming.  So forgive me if it is a long time before you hear from me, but thanks for coming back every time I do - it means more than you know.

(HUGS!)

why I love blogging (a.k.a. UPDATE)

WOW, has it really been a whole month since my last post??? Makes sense, I guess, since it has also been a whole month since I started working full-time again.  I'm finally adjusting (SORTA) to my new schedule, but working full time is a lot harder than I remember it being!  True, the last time I worked full-time I was 3 years younger......and didn't have a toddler to care for.  But seriously, some nights I can't even summon the energy to pour a much-needed glass of wine!  Oh, who the hell am I kidding, there is ALWAYS enough energy for the wine!  My nightly wine habit is back, and it is SERIOUSLY effecting my bottom line, both literally and figuratively.

I am still supposed to be training to run my first ever half-marathon, but have not made time to run DAILY like I need to - especially since the race I originally planned to run (Disney Half Marathon in September) already sold out, and the only other viable option for me to meet my goal of completing a half THIS YEAR is to do the Fontana Days Half Marathon in early June.  This one costs a lot less, and is an all-flat course, but how in the HELL am I supposed to be ready in just 8 freaking weeks?!?! GAH!  I did another 5K race in early March, shaving 4 full minutes off my October race time.

Three weeks later I did this one in Palm Springs, with a goal of finishing four minutes FASTER than my new personal best time, but instead I added 15 seconds.  I could blame the gnarly cold we've all been passing around for about 5 weeks now, but in reality, this was strictly due to lack of training.  I only ran ONCE in the week before that last race, and didn't run well at all.

I've actually started gaining weight, probably due IN PART to the wine I drink every night to cope with this job (I might love it some day, but for now.....NOT SO MUCH) but in reality it is more likely due to the 2 or 3 times a week FAST FOOD habit that also returned when I started working again, and the fact that my workouts are inconsistent at best.  I weighed 272 lbs when I signed up for Valley's Biggest Loser last summer, and finished the 3 month contest in December weighing 218.  I got down below 215 once or twice, but have mostly bounced between 216 and 220 since December.  Today, I weigh 225 stark naked. :(  I am SOOOOO not willing to ever go back to being that WHALE that I was for more than ten freaking years! I'm doing an informal weight loss competition with a couple of girls from work - we each put in $20 and weighed in this week, and we'll weigh in again May 1 - the person who loses the highest PERCENTAGE of their weight will keep all the cash.  I'm hoping my competitive self will now come out and kick the crap out my stressed-out-emotional-eating self.  That fat bitch has NO PLACE in my new life!

Speaking of my new life.......

My hubs has been home for a few weeks, and is making some progress.  I wish I could say everything is GREAT now that he's in counseling, but that would be a blatant lie.  In truth, some days feel WORSE than before, but mostly we are at least moving forward.  Sometimes we are INCHING forward, but still moving forward.



Remember that "Ugliest Backyard" contest I asked you all to help me with back in January?  Well I WON, with 40% more votes than the next nearest contender!!!!!  The prize was $5000 in goods & services from System Pavers, which was exactly how much we were 'short' when we had them out for a bid in December.  Thanks to that contest, we were finally able to move forward with our patio project, and my back patio went from this:

to THIS:

AWESOME, right?  The yard is not completely done, but the System Pavers portion is.....it only took them 2 1/2 days!!!  The air conditioner unit has been moved back to its spot since this picture was taken, and we've built planters all around the fence, and put in a lemon tree and an orange tree.  Now I need to finish building Bobblehead's custom sandbox, and put up a fence in the dirt side-yard for my doggy, and then of course add some actual patio furniture.  My new neighbors might also sell me their granite-topped BBQ island that they had from their old house, since it is too big for their new backyard.  If not, we still at least have a cart-style gas BBQ in good condition, so we can start grilling ALL. THE. TIME.   :)

Bobblehead already LOVES this new living space, and SO DO I!  So, bloggy friends, thank you SO MUCH for voting for my hideous backyard!

So, lets see....New job, new backyard, and new start with hubby.  Now I just need a new dose of MOTIVATION to lose weight, and I'll be all set, right?  Well, my 38th birthday is four weeks away, and that was originally my goal date for reaching my GOAL WEIGHT of 145 lbs.....clearly not gonna make that, but since the date is approaching, maybe I will use THAT for some pressure/motivation.

I'll try to update you all here BEFORE that, but if I don't, well be sure to check back here after I turn 38!

Strong is the new SKINNY

Remember last spring when I posted about being fat?  I actually followed it up with another post about what it actually FEELS like to be fat, and then I entered a local weight loss competition.  I've mentioned it here before, and if you want to read the details about it, you can check out my weight loss blog.

My reason for bringing it up now, is that I really haven't ever updated you all on my actual progress.  YAY FOR PROGRESS!  For starters, I have lost over 50 lbs since September 10.

I've lost more than 20 inches, 8 of those just from my waist.

I have dropped from a size 24 to a size 16, and of course am still shrinking. I even fit into SOME size 14 clothes!

I seriously feel like a new woman. I look (and feel!) so much YOUNGER than I did six months ago, and I have so much more ENERGY! The energy part is probably due more to proper nutrition than to exercise, but everyone knows that working out really gives you more energy, right?

I'm working out at least once a day, six days a week. At least twice a week, and up to five times a week, I do a second workout (2-a-day). My main exercise is cardio, of course, to burn all the fat. In addition I do strength training, zumba, and yoga and am looking into starting some new workout classes to keep my body guessing.

A few weeks ago I did a 'spin' class for my first time ever.  At the end of that hour, I decided it would likely be my LAST time ever, as well.  Seriously, why do they make those stupid seats on spin bikes SO PAINFUL?  I had a bruise in the exact size and shape of that seat marking up my butt (and my hoohoo) for at least 5 full days. Um, NO THANKS!  Especially since I only burned about 600 calories in that one hour spin class, and I can burn 1000+ in workout classes that combine cardio with resistance.  Instead of going back to Spin, I started P90X, and am LOVING the new 'Bodypump' barbell workout at 24 hour fitness.

My time is pretty limited overall, but I am trying really hard to juggle things to allow myself more time for blogging - I MISS my bloggy friends! So many of you have helped me SO MUCH with your love and support as I went through this very difficult reintegration (which still isn't necessarily OVER, but it looks like the roughest part is) as well as through my difficult weight loss journey.  Someone asked me if I was 'bringing sexy back' and I replied that I don't NEED to bring sexy back, as long as I can take my "ME" back.

As far as my goals are concerned, I am still shooting for 145 lbs OR a size 10, but more important than this, I want to be STRONG.  Skinny people look great in their clothes, but FIT PEOPLE LOOK GREAT NAKED.  I sooooo wanna look good naked!  (not posting THOSE before & after pics, sorry LOL)

Tea Time

I truly do miss this blog and all my milspouse bloggy friends!  Coming back soon with regular posts, but for now here are a few pictures my sister-in-law's baby shower today: 

I love having a reason to get pretty - especially when hubby is in a wonderful mood and takes ALL the boys shopping all day, giving me time to curl my hair, put on makeup, and even paint my fingernails.

It was a 'Ladies Tea Party' complete with HATS!  I used it as an excuse to get another wearing out of my new dress (from the Marine Corps Ball) before I shrink out of it.  It's already loose on me compared to a couple weeks ago!

The Scarlet Tea Room is beautiful, but WAY out of my own price range. I looked up their menu online ahead of time to see if there was anything 'healthy' for me to eat, and noticed that their five course afternoon tea service is normally $32 per person!  Wow.  Everything was absolutely BEAUTIFUL, though. 

I enjoyed the green tea so much, I had FOUR cups of it.  I've been drinking nothing but water for the past few months with this weight-loss challenge, so I was worried about calories.  Now I'm laughing at myself for worrying: I looked up the nutrition info on unsweetened green tea, it has all of TWO calories per 8 oz cup of tea!

I stayed away from these beautiful home-made scones......I know for a FACT they are way too high in calories AND fat for this girl.

I also skipped eating this adorable cookie:

(brought it home for hubby instead)

I tried to sip some champagne, but since I have not had ANY alcohol in three months, the first sip literally went right to my head.  Second sip was my LAST sip.

I had so much fun being GIRLY today, but I still love coming home to all my BOYS.  Life is beautiful!

Family Reunion (picture post)

Before I post pictures from my awesome week-long family reunion, I want to remind my stalkers followers that TOMORROW, Wednesday August 3, you can come meet me in person on Del Mar Beach aboard Camp Pendleton!  If you are anywhere near Pendleton, email me ASAP for more info - I really would love to see you all there!

Last week my parents and five of my siblings and I (and our respective spouses and children) descended on a timeshare complex in Oceanside, CA.  At the peak, we had 13 adults and 18 children - so we were missing a total of 5 adults and 7 children this year.  If everyone comes to our next reunion in 2013, we will have 18 adults and 27 children (since 2 more babies are on the way at the moment).  Pretty big family, huh?

I will have some better pictures to post SOON, since my friend came down with her camera and got some great group shots.  But for now, here are a few of the pictures I took:

17 cousins in Old Town San Diego

Beach Babies!  My little Bobblehead is on the right.

Bobblehead & Bonehead (don't mind the san goatee)

Knucklehead & Bonehead 'firing' a cannon in one of the museums

My neices & nephews digging HUGE holes in the sand :)

Knucklehead had such a fantastic time with his cousins ALL WEEK, especially at the beach.

Knucklehead tried on an od steel helmet like the ones the Conquistadors wore. 

Home, sweet home.....isn't it crazy that I can fit TWO longboards on top of my tiny litle car?

This historic lighthouse is next to the harbor - we could see it from our room, which was pretty cool.  Definitely made the blackout shades necessary though

(I never would have slept all week with that

rotating light flasing into my room over and over all night long.)

ha ha ha!  and I thought MY surfboard setup was crazy!

This guy has surfboards AND a bike, all with his little convertible.

Cute, huh?

The teenagers - Bonehead on the right, age 16.

Kaid in the middle is 17, and Tayla on the left is 18.